Firefighters begin work to put out hot spots at a house at 1850 Newell Avenue. Photo contributed by Bruce Garner.

Chattanooga fire investigators have arrested a woman in connection with a house fire this morning at 1850 Newell St.

The release said Lt. Henry McElvain of the fire investigation division suspected the fire had been deliberately set after an examination of the burn patterns at the house and after interviews of several people.

The release said Melissa Freeman, 36, who has a mortgage on the house and lives there with her two daughters, was charged with arson and was taken by Chattanooga police to the Hamilton County Jail for booking.

About $40,000 in damage was done to the house and its contents, the release said.

McElvain said a pit bull that had threatened firefighters when they arrive to put out the fire was taken by the McKamey Animal Center.